Saturday, August 8, 2009

Job or Career

There are definitely times in the last seven years that I have wanted to throw up my hands, burst into tears, and walk out of my school, never to return. There have been many days that I wanted nothing more than to quit my job and get a job in an office or even in retail.

But I think that this high school thing might be more than just a job. Because despite the difficulties of the last year, I find myself getting excited about the upcoming school year. School here in the Northwest doesn't start until September, so I start hearing about my blogger teacher friends going back to school far before I do. Of course, as an inherently lazy person, I do LOVE summer vacation, but something about going back to school is so exciting to me.

I am such a nerd...I can't resist going up and down the back-to-school section in whatever store I am in. I love the small of crayons and new paper, and a pack of pencils is seriously intoxicating. There is such potential in these small things....new notebooks, new pens, new backpacks, everything is new and unused, just waiting for someone to come and use it - waiting for learning.

They say that a job is just a job, but a career is something you are. I am a teacher. I introduce myself as a teacher. I take pride in my career, and despite the difficulties and the tears, I love this job. I'm good at this job. I find pleasure in teaching and making connections with teenagers, getting them excited about a subject that they are not naturally inclined to like. So I guess this is what I am meant to do....at least for now. And to all my fellow teachers....best of luck going back to school!

6 comments:

I know what you mean! We go back in just a couple of weeks and we took the youngest shopping last night for her book bag and lunch box (this year's baffling choice was camouflage) and it was exciting - I wanted to fill the cart with loose leaf paper and tiny staplers and sticky notes and fat pink erasers!

Chalkboard Scribblers

Hmmm....

I have been a high school world history teacher here in Seattle since 2007 and I taught in Dallas, Texas for 5 years before that. This blog acts mostly as a reflective journal on my professional life, but you are welcome to peek inside if you would like, and add your thoughts and comments to the national education discussion.